Conceicao denies Jorge Costa set for PAOK post

Doubts over Santos' future

PAOK director Sergio Conceicao has refuted press rumours that Olhanense coach Jorge Costa has been lined up to replace Fernando Santos at the Greek club for next season.

Speculation continues to mount that current PAOK boss Santos, who enjoys a tremendous reputation in the country, may leave his job as first-team coach at the end of the current campaign. However, former PAOK captain and current sporting director Conceicao has attempted to play down suggestions that Costa has been identified as a potential replacement.

“I categorically deny the rumours in the press, which have put forward names of coaches for next season,” said the former Portugal international. “We are just concentrating on the championship play-offs. We trust our players and our coach and we will support them unconditionally. All outstanding issues will be addressed at the end of the season.”

Conceicao and Costa enjoy a close relationship stemming from their time together as players at Porto and with the Portuguese national team. With Conceicao believed to have a huge influence on decisions made at PAOK, it was reported that he was keen to convince the Olhanense boss to take up a new challenge in Greece.